Special Footage

Iwo Jima

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First Lieutenant Gearl Max English
[Confirmed]

Note: right click video and select Loop to repeat.

Footage of First Lieutenant Gearl M English (left and then center) speaking with Lieutenant Colonel Lowell E English (3rd Marine Division) in Iwo Jima at ~10:50 AM on an unknown date in February or March 1945.

UPDATE (1/25/2016): Received confirmation from Gearl’s son that this is his father.

There are several indicators that the soldier in this video is, indeed, Gearl M English.

1) The video description mentions Iwo Jima and, more importantly, the paper markers (see screenshots below) mention a Lieutenant English of the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division AND, according to page 649 of the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), Gearl M English was a Lieutenant in Company C, 4th Tank Battalion of the 4th Marine Division.

2) There is clearly a “4” on the front of the soldier’s shirt which indicates the 4th Tank Battalion AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), Gearl M English was a Lieutenant in the 4th Tank Battalion of the 4th Marine Division.

3) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the Unit Numerical Identification System (UNIS) marking on the back of the soldier’s shirt is a semi-circle which was used to designate the 4th Marine Division AND Gearl M English was in the 4th Marine Division. See descriptive screenshot below.

4) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the Unit Numerical Identification System (UNIS) marking on the back of the soldier’s shirt, just above the semi-circle, is a “4” which was used to designate the ranking of a Lieutenant AND Gearl M English was a Lieutenant. See descriptive screenshot below.

5) According to the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), there was only one soldier with the last name of English and ranking of Lieutenant in the 4th Tank Battalion of the 4th Marine Division – Gearl M English.

Video sources:
1) http://www.efootage.com/stock-footage/87885/Colonel_Calls_For_Back_Up_-_HD/
Note: I am not, in any way, affiliated with eFootage.com

Research sources:
1) National Archives January 1945 Muster Roll – Roll 0916.
2) FindAGrave Memorial 28523921
3) Ancestry.com

39.38:15.00

This is a screenshot from the previous footage.

Marker reads “Lt. English, Tanks, 4th D consults with Col. English 2d Bn 3rd on anti tank gun knocking out our tanks”.

This is a screenshot from the previous footage.

Video source:
1) http://www.efootage.com/stock-footage/87885/Colonel_Calls_For_Back_Up_-_HD/ @ 1:13
Note: I am not, in any way, affiliated with eFootage.com

1:13.55:3.50

This is a screenshot from the previous footage.

Gearl Max English
August 6 1917 – November 2 1998

Mimosa-Pines South Cemetery, Carlyss Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, Plot E-52-1

According to the headstone inscription, Gearl made it to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Source: FindAGrave Memorial 28523921
Note: First name misspelled as Geral in FindAGrave listing.

 

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